European Commission boosts efforts to make rail Europe’s default mode of transport

The European Commission is proposing more sustainable travel, led by efforts to make Europe’s rail system the default mode of transport. Daniel Boffey discusses in an article on The Guardian website. The Commission’s press release on this proposal is available here. Faster trains and cheaper tickets to boost European rail travel in new strategy … Continue reading European Commission boosts efforts to make rail Europe’s default mode of transport →

EU and its 27 Member States need to look how they can improve the current target of achieving an at least 55% reduction of net GHG emissions by 2030

The EU is not on track to achieve the 1.5°C climate target. Wendel Trio, in a Climate Science and Policy Briefing Paper, argues that the EU must revisit its current pledge. The author argues that o be aligned with the 1.5°C objective a GHG emission reduction target of at least -65% is needed. The … Continue reading EU and its 27 Member States need to look how they can improve the current target of achieving an at least 55% reduction of net GHG emissions by 2030 →

European Commission publishes proposals for revising buildings directive and gas package

According to the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, consumers will benefit from new basic housing standards that will allow them to use less energy to heat or cool their homes, according to the European Commission’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive announced this week, part of its ‘Fit for 55’ climate package. However, the Commission’s Gas Package … Continue reading European Commission publishes proposals for revising buildings directive and gas package →

Will poorer countries be unfairly disadvantaged by EU climate protection regulations?

The EU is picking up speed with climate protection regulations. For imports from abroad, a carbon tax will soon be introduced. But poorer countries could be unfairly disadvantaged by this. Tim Schauenberg discusses latest developments in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. CO2 tax at Europe's border: Revolution or protectionism? Earlier this year, … Continue reading Will poorer countries be unfairly disadvantaged by EU climate protection regulations? →

New EEA report on analysis of air quality in Europe

The vast majority of Europe’s urban population is exposed to levels of air pollutants above new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to an updated European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis on air quality in Europe released this week. Europe’s urban population remains at risk due to levels of air pollution known to damage health … Continue reading New EEA report on analysis of air quality in Europe →

New EEA report on creating an economy that can deliver prosperity and sustainability

Creating a more resilient and sustainable future will require Europe to reimagine its economic model, according to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report published this week. The report highlights opportunities for Europe to go further in creating an economy that can deliver prosperity and sustainability. Creating a resilient economy within environmental limits Reducing … Continue reading New EEA report on creating an economy that can deliver prosperity and sustainability →

The pros and cons of pulling the shipping industry into the EU’s emissions trading scheme

Andrew Warren, former special advisor to the House of Commons environment select committee, explores the EU Commission's ambition to include European shipping in its emissions trading scheme in an article first published on the Business Green website. Tax or trade: Is the EU's emissions trading scheme the best way to tackle CO2 from shipping? … Continue reading The pros and cons of pulling the shipping industry into the EU’s emissions trading scheme →

New EEA report shows cleaner air could have saved significant number of lives in Europe

Air pollution continued to cause a significant burden of premature death and disease in Europe in 2019. A European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis, published this week, shows that improving air quality to the levels recently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) could prevent more than half of the premature deaths caused by exposure to … Continue reading New EEA report shows cleaner air could have saved significant number of lives in Europe →

New EEA interactive report providing updated overview of how climate hazards are changing across Europe’s different regions

As extreme weather events and other climate hazards are increasing in frequency and severity across Europe, solid information is needed for assessing climate risks and planning for adaptation. The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) new interactive report, published this week, gives an updated overview of how climate hazards are changing across Europe’s different regions. Climate … Continue reading New EEA interactive report providing updated overview of how climate hazards are changing across Europe’s different regions →

Coming soon . . . not to miss

eceee summer study 2022 – deadline November 16th for submission of abstracts As we all find our role in the carbon-neutral energy transition, you can be an agent of change at eceee’s upcoming summer study, in Hyères, the South of France, 6–11 June 2022. The eceee 2022 Summer Study offers five intense days of formal … Continue reading Coming soon . . . not to miss →